Bengaluru, November 15, 2024: On the heels of World Prematurity Day, AstraZeneca Pharma India Ltd, a science-led biopharmaceutical company, announces a strategic collaboration with ‘Indian Academy of Paediatrics’, largest association of paediatricians in the country. The two organisations have come together to raise awareness on RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) that can put newborn pre-term babies at risk of respiratory illnesses and the need for timely intervention thereof.
RSV is highly contagious, and the virus can lead to severe infections, particularly in premature infants. Underdeveloped lungs and immune systems are a contributing factor to an increased risk of RSV disease and cardiopulmonary complications among premature infants. According to global reports1, over 90% infants are affected by RSV at least once by the age of two year. The collaboration will simultaneously focus on encouraging effective implementation of prevention strategies to mitigate the impact of respiratory infection in high-risk infants and young children.
Dr. Sanjeev Panchal, Country President and Managing Director, AstraZeneca India, said, “Being a pharmaceutical organisation committed to transforming patient outcomes, we are steadfast in addressing patient unmet medical needs by leveraging science. RSV puts our infants who are born before term at risk of respiratory illnesses, and we are proud to bring a breakthrough medicine to India that can help safeguard our generations to come. With this partnership with IAP, we aim to work with medical professional and highlight that an innovative therapy coupled with timely action can avert risks associated with this virus”.
Dr. G. V. Basavaraja, President, IAP said, “RSV is one of the leading causes of illness in young children, and we have been witnessing a steady rise in the number of cases in recent years. The rising incidence of RSV, driven by factors like urbanization, changing climates, and evolving viral patterns, calls for greater awareness and proactive management. Our collaboration with AstraZeneca is a vital step in addressing this public health challenge, ensuring that parents, caregivers, and healthcare professionals are equipped with the right tools and knowledge to protect children from the growing threat of RSV.”
RSV symptoms include cough, fever, running nose, irritability, reduced activity, and pauses in breathing. Severe cases can lead to bronchiolitis or pneumonia, requiring hospitalization.
Preterm infants and other high-risk children can be protected from RSV using available mmune-prophylactic options and with hygiene measures like handwashing and avoiding crowded areas. Despite its impact on high-risk children, awareness about RSV remains low, resulting in delayed diagnosis and treatment.
Through this collaboration, AstraZeneca India and IAP will focus on education, early detection and spreading awareness amongst healthcare professionals, parents, and caregivers about the growing risk of RSV. Specific focus would also be on highlighting prevention strategies to reduce the burden of this respiratory infection. Along with adopting digital medium to spread awareness, a series of hybrid awareness sessions on RSV are being organised in multiple cities across the country including Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata—to sensitize paediatricians and healthcare professionals.